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          Michigan holds unique quarterback camp

          Michigan held its aerial assault quarterback camp on Saturday which brought in quarterback recruits from all over the country. The camp put the quarterback prospects in unique situations and drills unlike most other camps.

          The recruits were divided up into groups called pods and while they did the normal drills you would see quarterbacks go through, they also spent time playing soccer, fielding ground balls and throwing to first base and eventually competing in dodge ball.

          The purpose of the drills was to help identify athleticism, and while some quarterbacks struggled with the drills, a few were able to show off just how athletic they were.

          The quarterbacks competed in every drill, whether it was about speed, throwing the ball the furthest or being the last man standing in dodgeball, it was all a competition.

          The prospects were on the field with some big names, including a few former Michigan quarterbacks in John Wangler, Rick Leach, Todd Collins and Elvis Grbac. They were also joined by current Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler among others.

          Being at a quarterback camp, it's unusual to come away without some analysis of a prospect at the position, let alone what he's like as a dodge ball player. This event gave Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff an opportunity to show the signal callers that there is a way to train and hone their craft in unorthodox ways, though.

          They don't need to have a full team, or even a football in their hand, to improve their athleticism. Harbaugh was hoping to leave the prospects with a new way of thinking and an opportunity to learn from people who have been in their shoes before. In that regard, the camp was a success.

          "You can practice on your own and there are lots of ways to practice football than just taking a five-step drop and throwing into a net," Harbaugh said. "You can take athletic reps doing just about anything. Climbing a tree would be balance, there's athletic reps everywhere to be found."